26-05-2025
Holocaust survivor granted town's highest honour
A Holocaust survivor has been honoured with Eastbourne's highest award.
Dorit Oliver-Wolff BEM was granted the Freedom of the Borough by Eastbourne Borough Council during a ceremony at the Town Hall on Wednesday, May 21.
Mrs Oliver-Wolff, who was born in Yugoslavia in 1936, endured years of hiding and near starvation after her home country was invaded by Nazi Germany in 1941.
Her father was killed, and the experiences profoundly shaped her life.
After the war, she rebuilt her life and became a successful singer and top 10 recording artist in Germany.
In recent years, she has lived in Eastbourne and dedicated her time to sharing her story and educating others about the Holocaust.
She was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to Holocaust education and awareness in 2019.
The motion to confer the Freedom of the Borough honour was put forward by Councillor Robert Smart and seconded by Councillor Stephen Holt.
The symbolic and ceremonial honour, which dates back to the Middle Ages, recognises eminent services or achievements.
A council spokesperson said: "Eastbourne Borough Council has honoured Holocaust survivor Dorit Oliver-Wolff BEM by bestowing her with its highest award, Freedom of the Borough.
"Mrs Oliver-Wolff BEM was admitted as an Honorary Freewoman of the Borough of Eastbourne in recognition and appreciation of her extraordinary life, her outstanding contribution to Eastbourne and its community, her work as a freedom fighter and campaigner for human rights, her dedication to Holocaust education and her passion to ensure that the Holocaust is never forgotten."
